MLB Player News

Boston claimed Weiss off waivers from the Angels on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester.

Weiss was designated for assignment by the Angels on Tuesday and has found a new home in the Red Sox system. The 31-year-old reliever owns a career 5.79 ERA in only 18.2 total innings of work at the major-league level.

Erceg (3-3) recorded the win against the White Sox on Thursday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he allowed a hit and issued a walk.

Erceg followed starter Ken Waldichuk and navigated around some trouble during his one frame. The right-hander was then rewarded for his work when Zack Gelof put the Athletics up for good in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. Erceg may be starting to hit his stride, as he's now produced scoreless efforts in three of his last four appearances despite issuing one free pass in each of those outings.

Smith allowed one run on one hit over one inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen blew another lead, although the save was blown by, and the loss credited to, Josh Sborz prior to Smith entering the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith's contributions to the loss was to give up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers. This was the sixth time in the last eight appearances that Smith has allowed a run, and the Rangers' closer has a 14.21 ERA with two losses and two blown saves during that run. Texas manager Bruce Bochy has not indicated a change is brewing at closer, but Aroldis Chapman would be the most likely candidate to take over should Smith be removed from the role.

Leclerc struck out two over a scoreless relief inning in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Twins.

The Rangers' bullpen has been shaky during the team's seven-game losing streak, and it blew another lead Thursday. None of that is on Leclerc, the one-time closer who has a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings since coming off the injured list in early July. More importantly, he's limited his bases on balls with just four walks (2.0 BB/9) during that stretch. Before landing on the IL, Leclerc walked 15 batters over 25 innings (5.4 BB/9). If Texas manager Bruce Bochy moves on from Will Smith as the team's closer, Aroldis Chapman could emerge as the primary closer, but Leclerc's sterling work could put him back into high-leverage consideration.

Fairbanks picked up the save Thursday against Colorado, allowing one hit while striking out three over a scoreless inning.

Fairbanks entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth and struck out Alan Trejo on eight pitches before allowing an infield single to Elehuris Montero in the following at-bat. The right-hander then secured his 16th save by getting the next two batters to go down swinging as the Rays won their fourth straight. Fairbanks has allowed just one hit over his last five appearances, registering two wins and a save over that stretch.

Armstrong did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings against Colorado while striking out two.

Armstrong allowed two hits in the first inning but managed to pitch his way out of it before going 1-2-3 through the second frame. The 32-year-old reliever has not allowed a run over his last five outings, racking up 12 strikeouts to only one walk over that stretch (8.2 innings). He has, however, surrendered multiple hits in three of his last six appearances.

King did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and two walks over 2.2 innings against the Nationals while striking out three.

King pitched well over the first two innings but found himself in a jam in the third after walking two of the first four batters he faced in the frame. One unearned run came home following a fielding error by Anthony Volpe and the right-hander was then relieved by Keynan Middleton as New York went with a bullpen day. The Yankees have now lost the last four games in which King has appeared, though he's held his own so far in August with a 3.00 ERA and 20:5 K:BB.

May earned a save against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

May had a three-run lead to work with in the bottom of the ninth inning and made quick work of Chicago, needing just nine pitches to get three outs around a single. The save was the second in three days for the right-hander, pushing his total to 14 on the campaign. He had tallied 12 saves over eight big-league seasons prior to this year.

Jax earned a save over the Rangers on Thursday, allowing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Twins closer Jhoan Duran threw 33 pitches over 1.2 innings in a loss Wednesday, so Jax was summoned Thursday with the team up by two heading into the ninth inning. Jax issued a one-out walk but erased it by inducing a game-ending, double-play groundout. The right-hander notched his second save of the campaign, but his other came over two months ago, and he's not expected to see many more opportunities as long as Duran is healthy.

Bautista picked up the save Thursday, delivering a perfect ninth inning to close out a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Bautista set the Blue Jays down in order in the ninth inning Thursday to earn his 33rd save, tying him for second most in the league. The 28-year-old extended his scoreless streak to six innings, lowering his ERA to a pristine 1.49 to go along with a 0.93 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB across 60.1 frames this season.